Sleeping Dogs Video Game Review

This crime-centered role-playing/action video game lets players take out Hong Kong crime syndicate as undercover detective Wei Shen in an open world format beginning with helpful tutorials as players progress. This one player game has no multiplayer mode, but offers online stats and leaderboards so players can compare their scores from three different experience point types – Triad, Face, and Police. Triad and Police points relate to Wei’s respective loyalty to each while Face reflects general reputation.

Players get a satisfying detective experience through a wide variety of elements including spycraft, safecracking, tracing phone, and stakeouts. The slo-motion options and melee actions work well, but camera issues occasionally hinder the experience especially when performing counter attack moves. Players can move the camera with the right stick (R3), but it still automatically recenters and creates obstacle/environment obstructions when rotating for better fighting angles. Players can drive, run, vault, use cover, throw, hijack, ram attack, grapple, jump onto vehicles, aim weapons, fire blindly, view maps, use phones, perform finishing melee moves, and change wardrobe, which make real impressions on bystanders to boost Face point scores.

The settings appeal with fantastic lighting effects while players can try secondary objectives and find collectibles. The strong voice acting and story writing blends between English and Cantonese languages for a compelling narrative. Originally envisioned as a continuing True Crime game series installment, Sleeping Dogspacks a surprisingly potent punch and comes recommended. Grab downloadable content packs like the Top Dog Silver Pack for extra point advantages, which yield impressive new abilities (***, rated M for violence, language, and sexual content, also available on PC, Xbox 360).